A Legacy of Sackler: Let’s Reconsider Philanthropic Naming Rights
A court settlement with the family whose fortune was made in opioids set a new precedent, one that should influence how nonprofits think about plastering the names of their benefactors on buildings and programs.
By Benjamin Soskis
Contributor
To Help Save the Planet, Philanthropy Must Take a Deep Dive Into Ocean Conservation
The United Nations Climate Conference next week should serve as a wake-up call for philanthropy both to recognize the role oceans play in mitigating climate change and to significantly step up funding to protect the world’s seas.
By Julie Packard
Contributor
As Foundation Assets Balloon, Their Giving Needs to Catch Up — Now
Rather than aiming their fire at donor-advised funds, those concerned about charitable giving should focus on large foundations, flush with stock-market cash, that have failed to match their growing assets with higher rates of nonprofit funding.
By Howard Husock
Contributor
To Create a More Inclusive Future, Philanthropy Should Examine the Overlooked Chapters From its Past
Women, Black people, and immigrants — not just wealthy industrialists — fueled 20th-century philanthropy in cities like Pittsburgh. Understanding their historic role is critical to developing more just and equitable philanthropic practices today.
By Kathleen W. Buechel
Contributor
The Ozy Media Debacle Is a Cautionary Tale for Journalism Donors
Before funding a news organization, donors should ensure the outlet can deliver on its promises and reach the intended audience. Without such vetting, philanthropic organizations are likely to miss out on opportunities to support journalism where it is needed most — in underserved communities of color.
By Tracie Powell
Contributor
If You Want to Hire an Executive Director of Color, Don’t Set Us Up to Fail
Leaders of color shouldn’t be brought in to clean up a nonprofit’s past mistakes or racist actions. The transformation to a more equitable and inclusive organization should be well underway before we walk in the door.
By Sarah Audelo
Contributor
Mold Young Leaders, Share Power, and Acknowledge Injustice: Advice From Foundation Leaders of Color
Three grant makers share their views about what their white peers can do to advance equity.
By Keecha Harris
Contributor
To Achieve Lasting Policy Change for Kids, Advocates Need to Choose Their Words Carefully
The messages nonprofits and foundations use to describe the problems facing children — and the proposed solutions — may be pushing people away and making it harder to take advantage of opportunities to achieve long-sought improvements.
A Giving-Local Mind-Set Reinforces the Chasm Between Wealthy People and Those in Need
When philanthropists mostly donate to causes and services in their own backyards, they perpetuate inequitable giving trends and fail to recognize historic discriminatory practices that have kept people of color out of higher-income areas.
By Davey M. Kim
Contributor
Philanthropy Needs to Rethink How It Supports Efforts to Rebuild Our Nation’s Infrastructure
As Congress debates a potential massive increase in federal infrastructure funding, grant makers should embrace a more expansive view of such projects — one that paves the way toward more equitable and sustainable communities.
By Katy Knight
Contributor